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Musée Rodin Sculpture Garden, Paris | |
| Many of Rodin's most famous sculptures can be enjoyed in the beautiful gardens of the Rodin Museum. | ||
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The Rodin Museum is a fascinating place, with rooms devoted to his famous works such as The Kiss and The Walking Man. But the Gardens of the Rodin Museum, near the Hôtel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower in Paris (map), are beautiful and allow the visitor to see many of Rodin's most famous works without going inside the building. In the off season, the garden also has the advantage of being considerably less expensive than the museum (4€ as of this writing).
You can stroll through the gardens and enjoy the beautiful flowers in season. Sit for a moment and contemplate The Thinker, perhaps Rodin's best known work. Wander through the garden to the pool at the end, passing by Balzac on your way, and enjoy some lesser known works. There are even chairs where you can relax and admire the view.
The entire Garden is beautifully landscaped, with gorgeous seasonal flowers and benches throughout. It includes a small cafeteria where you can enjoy a light lunch or a coffee in a beautiful setting.
Perhaps my favorite part of the garden is the area near the museum, where you can appreciate such works as the Gates of Hell, the Burghers of Calais, and the The Three Shades. Look carefully at the Gates of Hell (detail, left) and you'll find a small version of the Thinker and other familiar sculptures. The faces of the Burghers of Calais (detail, right) reflect the anguish they felt as they prepared to surrender to the English King Edward III. The first casting is in Calais. I've seen it in both Paris and Calais and find it very moving. On a sunny day it's great to just spend some time in the gardens, admiring the sculptures, the landscaping, and the building itself. Métro: Varenne or Invalides Paris Museum Pass accepted. Closed Monday. Musée
Rodin
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Above, The Burghers of Calais,
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